"Tools help us built. They are used for different kinds of work." This basic introduction by an award-winning author and illustrat...or shows how tools such as rulers, saws, planes, hammers, and drills are used to measure, cut, scrape, pound, and make holes so that we can make things. The simple text and clear illustrations are appealing and inviting. read more

One Snow day, Pinky is heading to town to get a pizza for himself and his mother. He must run quickly so he doesn't forget: mushro...oms, mozzarella cheese, fresh tomatoes, onions and peas. When the Squirrel boys try to sidetrack him, Pinky becomes annoyed and kicks the tree they're in. The snow from the branches falls down, and Pinky, without knowing, looks like a snowman. As Pinky walks through town, EVERYONE is talking about the walking snowman. But Pinky doesn't see him AND he's much too focused on getting his pizza to stop and look for him. This funny story has charming ink-and-watercolor paintings and endearing characters. read more

A board book guide to tools and what they do from beloved nonfiction author Gail Gibbons.What are tools? How do they help us make ...things? For busy toddlers keen on building, Gail Gibbons presents the answers to those questions in this cheerful board book introduction to tools and what they do. From rulers, hammers, and saws, to drills, nuts, and bolts, Gibbons covers basic tools and shows them in action! read more

Try, try again is the lesson Crow teaches beginning readers in this picture book reader. Crow was all alone. But like all crows, h...e was very clever. Using autumn leaves for wings, sticks for the body and a crab apple for the head, Crow made a friend! But winter winds blew in, destroying his creation. Undaunted, Crow fashioned another bird friend out of snow but could not prevent it from melting in the warm spring sun. Alone again, Crow heard the caw, caw, caw of a real, live bird. Together they built a nest and by summer, Crow had a family. This warm, satisfying story celebrates perseverance and ingenuity. An I Like to Read® book. Guided Reading Level D. read more

Gail Gibbons explores the mysterious world and workings of owls in her latest nonfiction picture book. She depicts numerous specie...s of owls and discusses their biological similarities as well as their differences. She portrays their ideal habitats, life styles, birth and development and environmental hazards that are threatening certain species. As usual, her comprehensive text is accompanied by clearly labeled illustrations and diagrams. Definitions are also included for additional clarity. read more

"Who am I?" ask captions alongside close-ups of colorful animal eyes. As readers guess which animal belongs to each eye, they will... discover that each animal has a unique and amazing way of seeing. Snakes have clear eyelids that cannot ever open or close. Some sea creatures have hundreds of eyes around the edges of their shells. Many animals can see colors that are invisible to humans. Brimming with vivid and engaging photographs, this book also includes a clear explanation of how human eyes work, a labeled diagram of a human eye, a glossary, and an index. read more

Sammy is a leopard with 500 perfect spots. But one morning a spot is missing. It’s a runaway spot! Sammy tries to catch it and sti...ck it back on with tape, but the spot hops out the window and escapes. The spot is free! Quirky, dynamic art and a funny story will have young readers chuckling and considering what home means to them. An amusing double gatefold feature reveals the story of the spot’s adventures while on the run. read more

Having saved her kingdom from the dastardly designs of a scheming prince in Ivy's Ever After, fourteen-year-old Princess Ivy and h...er dragon friend, Elridge, have little time to rest on their laurels, for Ardendale is once again being threatened. It seems that many years ago a magical harp and a hen that laid golden eggs were stolen by a youth named Jack. The rightful owner, a surly giantess who hasn't slept a wink since the thefts, needs her harp back to cure her insomnia. Otherwise Ardendale will suffer an unspeakable fate. So Ivy and Elridge set off on another fairy-tale-inspired adventure--a quest for the magical harp that takes them across the sea, into the fiery depths of a magnificent golden kingdom, and high into the clouds to the top of a vicious man-eating meanstalk. read more

Two accidental friends use innovation, trial and error, and some help from an unusual acquaintance to find their way home again. P...eeper the bird and Zeep the alien both love to fly. When the little bird and the young alien meet after a tumble from the sky, they must band together to figure out a way home. With the help of the innovative but eccentric A. Frog, the three friends try various machines to get Peeper and Zeep off the ground and back home. One machine leaves them stuck in a pond. Another leaves them stuck in a tree. So the three friends cooperate to design an alternate solution. Peeper and Zeep learn the meaning of friendship and family. read more

This stunning book looks at how animals use camouflage in seven distinct ecosystems spanning the globe: swamp (Florida Everglades)..., desert (Africa's Sahara), rain forest (South America's Amazon), savanna (East Africa), deciduous forest (Europe), arctic (North America), and coral reef (Australia's Great Barrier Reef). For each habitat, a lush full-page spread is followed by a key that explains how each animal uses camouflage and where it can be found in the preceding spread. read more

Snow! Cookies! Candy! Mouse loves snow days. When he's accidentally swept out the door and into the snow, Mouse has a blast ice-sk...ating, sledding, and building snow animals—always just one step ahead of sly Cat. But above Mouse on a wire sit three cold birds who warn Mouse of Cat's approach. Now it is Mouse's turn to do something nice for his new friends. read more

Big Bear, Rabbit, and the other animals work hard to write, edit, and print their newspaper, "The Furry News." Includes tips for m...aking your own newspaper and defines a number of newspaper terms. read more

"I am a bird. Can you see me?" asks a toucan hidden among the trees. "I am a snake. Can you see me?" challenges a vine snake disgu...ised by its surroundings. In this easy-to-read picture book, Ted Lewin invites readers to explore animal camouflage in the rain forest with a seek-and-find game. Lush watercolor illustrations inspired by Lewin's trips to Costa Rica show how different animals blend into their habitats. The simple text encourages young readers to use their sharp eyes as they try to spot each creature. read more

When the Dog looks inside a hole in the wall, he spies another dog! Dog can't wait to tell Warthog, Lion and Elephant the news. Bu...t when his friends look in the hole for themselves, none of them find the dog. In fact, they each see something different! An argument ensues. Each animal is sure the others are wrong, because everyone can't be right . . . can they? After a little reflection, readers will be delighted to discover that the hole in the wall is not a hole at all but a mirror. At the end of the day, friendship and harmony prevail. Hans Wilhelm has created a humorous interpretation of Mark Twain's A Fable. read more

From her pond in the city park, sophie, a swan, loves to watch the dancers in Madam Myrtle's Studio. She longs to join them, but M...adam shoos her away. Then one day a much jollier teacher, Miss Willow, comes to class. Although Sopie is feathered, winged, and webbed, Miss Willow permits her to stay. When the school performs Swan Lake, the part of the swan seems perfect for Sophie--but she can only hope she'll make the cast.Two great artists have created an inspiring character who, in spite of obstacles, pursues her passion and realizes her dream. read more

The jungle is a noisy place. The elephants BOOM, the rhinos BAM-BAM, the hornbills CAW-CAW and the apes HOO-HAA. But Tapir and Lit...tle Tapir don't make a sound. They tiptoe through their days -- until the morning a hungry leopard forces them to run for the lives. Leopard is just about to pounce when BANG! The sound of a hunter's gun stops all three animals in their tracks. Now Leopard must flee -- very quietly, with help from the tapirs. From that day on, Leopard moves with a very soft step as do the rest of the jungle beasts. With elegant pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations, this original pourquoi story is a satisfying and visually arresting tale of quiet rewarded. read more

Al loves owls. He reads books about owls, watches movies starring owls, and draws pictures of owls--he even sleeps with a stuffed ...owl. Al wishes he could be just like an owl instead of a kid! His dream comes true at summer camp, where he gets lost on a hike and spends the night in the forest with a bunch of owls. But when Al gets hungry, he learns that owl life isn't all it's cracked up to be. Maybe being a kid isn't so bad after all. read more

Henrietta loves to read. When she clucks buk, buk, buk at the library, the librarian knows exactly what to recommend. Then Henriet...ta decides to write a book. With the help of her three aunties, she hatches a plot. But when Henrietta publishes her story, the critics say she's laid an egg! Is this the end of Henrietta's career as an author? read more

Jane Cabrera's boldly colored rendition of a favorite rhyme gets an ecofriendly spin. This old woman and her household of high-spi...rited children and talented pets are resourceful. Together they repair their broken furniture, find alternative modes of transportation when the car breaks down and remake worn clothing with colorful patches. Sheet music for piano, voice and guitar are included in the book. read more

From the snug sleeping bags made out of leaves constructed by Honduran white bats to the thirty-feet-high towers filled with passa...geways and rooms that termites build, animals have impressive abodes. Nature lovers will be fascinated by how animals solve the problem of locating safe places in which to live and raise families. read more

Two accidental friends use innovation, trial and error, and some help from an unusual acquaintance to find their way home again. P...eeper the bird and Zeep the alien both love to fly. When the little bird and the young alien meet after a tumble from the sky, they must band together to figure out a way home. With the help of the innovative but eccentric A. Frog, the three friends try various machines to get Peeper and Zeep off the ground and back home. One machine leaves them stuck in a pond. Another leaves them stuck in a tree. So the three friends cooperate to design an alternate solution. Peeper and Zeep learn the meaning of friendship and family. read more

Mole has a new shovel and he is digging for buried treasure. But what he finds are treasures for everyone else! He finds a stick a...nd gives it to Bird for his nest. He finds a shell and gives it to Snail for a home. An acorn he gives to Squirrel for his dinner. Finally, he finds a treasure for himself, a friend. read more

Birds make many kinds of nests in many kinds of places—to keep their eggs safe and to keep chicks safe. In this exquisitely illust...rated picture book, created with both traditional woodcut and digital tools, acclaimed artist Michael Garland celebrates animals that are both beautiful and resourceful. This text is accessible to new readers and the birds are labeled with their American English common names. A 2018 NSTA-CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students K-12! read more

Look! An elephant eats. Look! Giraffes drink. Look! A warthog digs. A gorilla hides, wild dogs listen, zebras run, monkeys sit, hi...ppos splash, and a rhino naps. Each line of text is illustrated by a two-page spread with a beautiful painting of an animal Ted Lewin has seen on his journeys to Africa. At the end of the story, a boy reads, plays, and dreams, surrounded by toy animals that represent each of the real ones. This book encourages children to observe, enjoy, and appreciate the natural world. Guided Reading Level D. read more

Feathers fly and humor abounds as the literary adventures of Henrietta, the talented chicken from The Plot Chickens continue for h...er. Thrilled to have her picture book published, Henrietta is all aflutter with excitement when she's invited to a local book festival. However, the event organizers did not count on having a chicken show up to sign books. Luckily, just when the festival director gives chase, Henrietta comes up with a clever plan to make herself heard and respected. As Henrietta's loyal local children's librarian explains, "A chicken who can write books is a national treasure." read more

Domestic chickens are an essential part of the agriculture and food production in America. Gibbons takes a look at how chicken egg...s are developed for human consumption and at how fertilized eggs develop into embryos and finally into fuzzy little baby chicks. The behaviour of chicks, hens, and roosters is discussed, and descriptions of the different breeds of chickens across America are provided. Once again Gibbons provides a colourful, accessible account of this familiar, domesticated bird. read more

In their second adventure, Ali, Jake and Eliza go fishing with Nanny X, only there is something fishy about their catch―it’s robot...ic. While the gang wonders about this strange occurrence, a robotic squirrel shows up and tries to steal Nanny X’s computer disguised as a box of baby wipes. Meanwhile, the president has been threatened if he doesn’t put a sculpture of an angler on view on the White House lawn. Nanny X wonders if these weird incidents are connected, as a series of investigations yields non-stop action and humor in this sequel to Nanny X, which was called “a fun and funny blend of Spy Kids and Mary Poppins” by Kirkus Reviews. read more

David McPhail celebrates ingenuity, creativity, and friendship in this picture book created especially for the newest reader. Boy ...and Bird can go up to the tree house, but Dog cannot. Boy has an idea. Using a rope and a pot, the boy is able to pull the dog up the tree to a vantage point where the three friends can observe all good things in the world—including Mom bearing a plate of cookies. David McPhail's poignant characters express intelligence, joy, and the affectionate bond of friendship. Together they live in a world that is wondrous, safe, and happy. An I Like to Read® book. Guided Reading Level D. read more

Once upon a time in the kingdom of Ardendal there lived a spirited princess named Ivy, who had no interest in being rescued by Pri...nce Charming, and an undersized dragon named Elridge, who was better at solving word puzzles than breathing fire. Sailing into this world on a ship made of whale bones came Romil, a handsome prince with dastardly designs on Princess Ivy and her kingdom. Ivy and Elridge, both disappointments to their families, join forces to try and thwart Romil's evil plot. In the process these traditional enemies become fast freinds, discover hidden strengths, and earn the respect of all who know them. Full of humor and high adventure--and plenty of slightly skewed fairy-tale motifs--this frothy fractured fairy tale is sure to delight young readers. read more

The characters in Henri Rousseau's The Sleeping Gypsy inspired Mordicai Gerstein to create an elegant, beautifully illustrated sto...ry about them.A girl, alone in the desert, lies on the sand and sleeps. But she is not alone for long. A lizard, a rabbit, a turtle and other animals come to scrutinize her, and a lion leaps into the scene and claims her for his own.A silhouette approaches from the distance. He introduces himself as Henri Rousseau, the dreamer of this dream, who plans to paint a picture of it. The animals pose for the artist but criticize his work with comments like "You've made my nose too big." So the artist removes complainers one by one from the painting, until only the girl and the lion remain. read more

Some birds are huge and some are tiny. Some birds are fantastically colorful and some are plain. What do all birds share? Early no...nfiction expert Lizzy Rockwell explains that birds have beaks, wings, and feathers, and hatch from eggs. Other animals might have some of these features in common, but only a bird has them all. Only a bird is a bird! A clear text and beautiful illustrations cover dozens of different birds and their shared characteristics, as well as the unique qualities of unusual birds, such as penguins and peacocks. read more

Learning about homophones (words that sound the same but have different meaning and spellings) and homonyms (words that sound alik...e and are spelled the same but have different meanings) is fun in this adaptation of "The Little Red Hen."Monkey is making a banana cream pie and needs help. Aunt Ant is busy going to visit her niece. Bee has too many things to do; the next shipment of honey is due. Monkey yells himself hoarse until Horse arrives, but Horse neighs and says nay. Lucky for Monkey, the friends finally pitch in by cleaning up banana peels and get some pie after all. read more

Jane Cabrera has created a cozy rendition of a beloved song. In this picture book, a rosy-cheeked kitten and puppy come upon one d...elightful animal surprise after another as they paddle down a rain forest river. Sheet music, along with Cabrera's jaunty new verses, is included. read more

It is the longest night of the year, and the snow lies deep. All through the forest, animals long for dawn's warmth. Strong and cl...ever creatures boast that only they can bring back the sun. But the wind knows better. The wind calls Chickadee, whose simple song wakes the sun. In this lyrical story from Marion Dane Bauer with breathtaking watercolors by Ted Lewin, it will take a tiny and gentle creature to summon a new day. read more

Jane Cabrera's boldly colored rendition of a favorite rhyme gets an ecofriendly spin. This old woman and her household of high-spi...rited children and talented pets are resourceful. Together they repair their broken furniture, find alternative modes of transportation when the car breaks down and remake worn clothing with colorful patches. Sheet music for piano, voice and guitar are included in the book. read more

In this poetic exploration of the five vertebrate classifications--mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish--animals come to... life in lush color woodcuts. With a focus on trademark characteristics, such as birds' beaks or the scales of fish, the book explains the differences among the five classes. Back matter includes an index and a glossary of scientific terms, as well as a table with information and examples from each classification for cross-referencing. read more

Readers will be astounded and amused by this introduction to the strange and amazing world of seeing, hearing, and smelling in the... animal kingdom. In this colorful picture book filled with fantastic facts, a lively cast of animals competes to decide which one has the best sight, hearing, and sense of smell. People may think that their senses are pretty good, but compared to the incredible abilities of many animals, human senses aren't so impressive. A polar bear can smell a seal from a half mile away. Snails can see around corners with eyes that are on stalks. Bats transmit messages to one another that are so high-pitched humans cannot even hear them, while elephants communicate with one another up to two miles away in tones too low for people to hear. read more

Jane Cabrera has created a cozy rendition of a beloved song. In this picture book, a rosy-cheeked kitten and puppy come upon one d...elightful animal surprise after another as they paddle down a rain forest river. Sheet music, along with Cabrera's jaunty new verses, is included. read more

Henrietta loves to read. When she clucks buk, buk, buk at the library, the librarian knows exactly what to recommend. Then Henriet...ta decides to write a book. With the help of her three aunties, she hatches a plot. But when Henrietta publishes her story, the critics say she's laid an egg! Is this the end of Henrietta's career as an author? read more

Clayton Stone’s ordinary middle-school life gets turned upside down when he discovers that his grandmother is the head of the Spec...ial Service, a top-secret government organization specializing in undercover work. His family’s diner turns out to be a cover for an extensive underground office filled with top-of-the-line gadgets and weapons. Clayton is stunned, and the real shock sets in when he learns that the Special Service wants to recruit him as a decoy in a kidnapping sting! It’s exciting at first― elaborate disguises and classified debriefings― but there is real danger, too. The operation comes to a dramatic close as Clayton displays extraordinary courage in the name of duty, cementing his place in the Stone family’s tradition of service. read more

Animals herd, carry, pull, and even . . . keep us company! This nonfiction, easy-to-read picture book transports readers from an o...pen field to a desert to a snowy tundra as animals of all kinds perform some very important work. The book ends with an endearing role reversal as a young boy gives milk to his cat, reminding readers that just as animals help people, people in turn can help animals. This book teaches readers about the variety of work animals and depicts the give-and-take of human/animal relationships. A map is included. Guided Reading Level C. read more

Look! An elephant eats. Look! Giraffes drink. Look! A warthog digs. A gorilla hides, wild dogs listen, zebras run, monkeys sit, hi...ppos splash, and a rhino naps. Each line of text is illustrated by a two-page spread with a beautiful painting of an animal Ted Lewin has seen on his journeys to Africa. At the end of the story, a boy reads, plays, and dreams, surrounded by toy animals that represent each of the real ones. This book encourages children to observe, enjoy, and appreciate the natural world. Guided Reading Level D. read more

Learning about homophones (words that sound the same but have different meaning and spellings) and homonyms (words that sound alik...e and are spelled the same but have different meanings) is fun in this adaptation of "The Little Red Hen."Monkey is making a banana cream pie and needs help. Aunt Ant is busy going to visit her niece. Bee has too many things to do; the next shipment of honey is due. Monkey yells himself hoarse until Horse arrives, but Horse neighs and says nay. Lucky for Monkey, the friends finally pitch in by cleaning up banana peels and get some pie after all. read more

After a little lost turkey wanders onto Belle and Fred's farm, Belle's garden becomes the most beautiful one in the neighborhood. ...Everyone wants to know her secret, but Belle won't tell. Then, while she is out of town, another turkey comes to roost on the farm...and then another...and another...until the whole farm is overrun! Fred is at his wit's end when his neighbors offer to help- if he'll share Belle's secret. Will Fred tell, or will Belle's garden be ruined? read more